POPSUGAR Celebrity

Eco-Friendly Eating Habits For Earth Day

Apr 21 2014 - 2:18pm

Earth Day is tomorrow, and it always serves as a good reminder to rethink our eating habits and cooking practices. There are so many small changes that we all can make in our everyday lives that, over time, significantly impact the world that we live in. While we may not be able to implement all of these changes all the time, it is important to consider how our actions affect the bigger picture. Keep reading to find out how you can make a difference.

When possible, choose pasture-raised meat.
Aside from the significant health benefits over conventionally raised meat, pastured animals also contribute to the environment in a positive way. They help to fertilize the soil and don't rely nearly as much on fossil fuels or synthetic feed. Pastured animals don't spawn the same massive waste-management dilemma that occurs in huge conventional feedlots. Grazing animals also promote the return of native plant species.

Support local farms.
Supporting local farms can do wonders for the environment and the local economy. Food does not have to endure long journeys (and the chemical washes that come with them) that eat up fuel. You might even consider joining a CSA (community supported agriculture). A CSA membership directly supports the farm, and you get fresh, seasonal, local produce in return. These can be pricey sometimes, but many offer different levels of memberships to meet your needs. If you're not ready for that kind of commitment, then frequent your local farmers markets [1].

Invest in reusable kitchen products.
Fortunately, it's currently really trendy to be eco-friendly, and there are loads of stylish products just waiting to be purchased. We're big fans of bamboo cutting boards [2], reusable water bottles [3], and even simple mason jars [4].

Eat seasonally.
There are myriad reasons why eating seasonally [5] is the way to go. The environmental benefits are undeniable, and it goes hand in hand with supporting local farms and farmers. But the fact remains: seasonal produce is far more flavorful and delicious.

Consider adopting Meatless Mondays.
One of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to limit the amount of meat you eat. Meatless Mondays [6] are a fun way to go about it. There are so many satisfying and nutritious meat-free recipes [7]. We promise you won't be bored.